News Release ~ 07/01/1998

Hubbell Tax Case Dismissed

Statement of NACDL President Gerald B. Lefcourt

Washington, DC (July 1, 1998) -- U.S. District Judge James Robertson today dismissed the federal tax evasion case against former Associate Attorney General Webster Hubbell, ruling that Mr. Hubbell's Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination was violated by prosecutors from the Office of Independent Counsel.

Praising today's decision, NACDL President Gerald B. Lefcourt, New York City, released the following statement:

"Mr. Hubbell's tax indictment was clearly vindictive and in bad faith. Judge Robertson showed great courage, compassion and common sense in throwing out the case which, by the Independent Counsel's own admission, was built entirely on evidence extracted under a promise of immunity. A promise made is a debt unpaid, but a promise made by the Independent Counsel obviously isn't worth the paper it's written on until the court enforces the debt."

The National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers is the preeminent organization advancing the mission of the criminal defense bar to ensure justice and due process for persons accused of crime or wrongdoing. A professional bar association founded in 1958, NACDL's many thousands of direct members in 28 countries – and 90 state, provincial and local affiliate organizations totaling up to 40,000 attorneys – include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, military defense counsel, law professors and judges committed to preserving fairness and promoting a rational and humane criminal justice system.